FLIBS: the 7 largest yachts going to Fort Lauderdale

Heesen has shared the shipyard’s latest news – the construction of YN 20150, code-named Project Oslo24, has officially begun. The owners and their family attended the keel-laying ceremony on October 4, and welded their ‘good luck coins’ to section three, where the IMO number was engraved. The ceremony was formally witnessed by a Lloyd’s Register surveyor who signed off this first stage in the yacht’s build.The 50m yacht will be built on the platform of the 50-metre Steel Class. Project Oslo24 will be equipped with Heesen’s hybrid system, which offers indisputable advantages over traditional diesel propulsion. The owner, an experienced yachtsman, made this choice with the clear intent of creating a yacht that is cleaner, quieter and more efficient than comparable conventional craft.“We were the first shipyard who dared to take the financial risk of building hybrid yachts on speculation and today, all our yachts are available with hybrid propulsion as an option. ‘Be the change you want to see in the world’ is our mantra. Today, that change is real. It is a pleasure to see that clients trust our systems and decide to implement them in their highly customised yachts to reduce their footprint,” says Friso Visser, Heesen CCO.The Heesen hybrid drivetrain draws on diesel engines and electric motors, together or individually and in any combination, for both propulsion and hotel needs. In the automotive world such systems typically emphasise energy-saving and reducing emissions, but hybrid propulsion at sea has a broader set of aims. Silent cruising and minimal vibration enormously enhance comfort levels on board and are especially appealing during night passages.The interior is made by Luca Dini Design and Architecture who creates an interior that incorporates plenty of fine details connected to their life at sea and the areas they will be exploring aboard their yacht. Contrasting dark, high-gloss and light matte wood finishes, with a ribbed canneté texture to evoke the forests, blend with soft leather in warm tones to create a snug environment to offer guests a refuge when the air is brisk and chilly outside.“The owner of Oslo24 and his family are deeply involved in every aspect of this project,” said Stefan Zucker of Zucker and Partner, the owner’s representative. “For us, this makes it an even more exciting project.” The heart of the system is the yacht’s twin MTU 8V4000 M63 (IMO Tier III) main engines, each one coupled to a water-cooled, 135kW Danfoss electric motor on the same propeller shaft. This streamlined configuration offers versatility, flexible power management, and redundancy, with three operational modes: Silent, Economy and Cruising. YN 20150 Project Oslo24 is scheduled for delivery in March 2024.Heesen Yachts is a Dutch ship building company that specializes in custom-built superyachts in aluminium and steel from 30m to 70m in size. Founded in 1978, it has launched more than 170 yachts since its inception.Credits: Heesen Yachts

Wally’s fast cruisers outperform with big wins at Les Voiles de Saint Tropez.Magic Carpet 3_1A moderate swell during the second week of Les Voiles de Saint Tropez kept the bowman on Magic Carpet Cubed well refreshed. Flying downwind with the big asymmetric, the boat sets an awe-inspiring 1,420 square metres of sail on her 46m-tall, high modulus carbon fibre mast. Speeds can be breathtaking, with performance to match. Even though the Wallycento is designed for comfortable cruising, its high-tech design and development is the equal of the most modern thoroughbred on the race course.Magic Carpet 3_2Sir Lindsay Owen-Jones’ spectacular Wallycento Magic Carpet Cubed managed to close out a win despite stiff challenges from George David’s Rambler. After two races the boats were still neck-and-neck for points, so it all came down to the last leg of the last race in Saint Tropez. The start was delayed by low winds, but the biggest Maxis in the IRC 1 class still had a 25-mile course to cover. Luckily conditions freshened to a sporty 18-knot breeze from the east, making for a fantastic show.Magic Carpet 3_3Fresh from victory in the Maxi divisionat the Maxi Yacht Rolex Cup last month, Magic CarpetCubedisinstantlyrecognisable for hergleaming blue topsides. Ithasbecomea brandfeature for the ownerwhohashad no fewerthanthreeWallysbuilt with the samename.Lyra_1There was little doubt about the winner of the IRC 3B class at Les Voiles de Saint Tropez, where the Wally 77 Lyra posted two back-to-back bullets in the three-race regatta. The team and the boat have proven to always be up to the different racing conditions. Since her launch in 2000, Lyra has continued tuning culminating in a recent substantial refit in the hull and keel.There were 18 boats in the mini-maxi class, making it one of the most competitive, a fact borne out by the narrow margins involved at the start and the finish.Lyra_2Lyra counts some top pro sailors among her crew, and they were riding high after a clean sheet at the Maxi Yacht Rolex Cup winning the Mini Maxi 3&4 division. They looked set to repeat the performance here in Saint Tropez as well. Conditions provided a mixed bag, with one day’s racing cancelled due to excessive wind and one due to no wind, with others postponed until the breeze came in. Victory this year depended on the ability of boats and crews to adapt, as Lyra demonstrated.Green eyesShowing just how competitive a Wally can be, the beautiful 2002 Wally 107 Green Eyes (ex-Kauris III) had the highest rating in her IRC 2 group at Les Voiles de Saint Tropez last week. Her stunning wood-panelled interior and phenomenal comfort levels are amply offset by the lightness of the hull and a process of refits which have seen the rig constantly updated to reduce weight aloft. Equipped with a canting keel, she sports a carbon mast by Southern Spars and ECSix standing rigging.RoseLaunched in 2006, Rose (former Tango G) is one of Wally’s successful Wally 80 line, which ran to half a dozen yachts. She features the quintessential Wally DNA of sleek, minimal lines, open, uncluttered decks and a timeless style that appeals as strongly today as it did when she was built. Rose has proved herself a formidable competitor on the Med maxi circuit, but also a very comfortable cruising yacht with luxurious cabins, lots of social space and room for plenty of toys.Ryokan 2Ryokan 2, winner of the Compasso d’Oro design award, is a perennial competitor in Saint Tropez, and pulled off a well-earned win in her class in last year’s event. This year it wasn’t to be, with two second places and a fourth putting him in a very respectable third overall. The Wally 80 has an experienced crew, and the boat has seen some beneficial tweaks to her rig to sharpen performance in light wind. When it all comes together, this boat can challenge the newest yachts on the course.Y3KThe powerful 100-footer Y3K was hoping for great things at this year’s Les Voiles de Saint Tropez. Variable conditions kept his crew on their toes, ultimately managing a solid fourth place overall. But the boat showed her potential, with a well-earned win in the lighter winds of the second race. Built in 2009, this German Frers hull has the speed, grace and lightness of all Wallys. And yet she packs luxurious accommodation for six guests and four crew.Wally Class prize giving VDST2021With so many Wally yachts competing in the maxi classes at Les Voiles de Saint Tropez, there has long been a dedicated class award to celebrate the depth of the talent on the water. Wally 77 Lyra took a resounding first place, followed closely by Ryokan 2 and Magic Carpet Cubed.Magic Carpet 3 winner Maxi Division VDST2021Among the very biggest, most competitive IRC1 boats, the competition for the top spot was fierce. Sir Lindsay Owen-Jones rejoices with his team for the victory. Over the years they developed a boat that is a powerhouse and an icon to modernism. He and his crew spurred the Wallycento to a blistering performance on the final day of racing, which saw them edge out their rivals. World leader in yachting innovation and part of Ferretti Group, Wally combines the latest technology with contemporary design, constantly looking at ways of improving on the water enjoyment with performance, comfort and style.Founded in 1994 in Monaco by Luca Bassani, passionate and visionary yachtsman, Wally changed the entire concept of cruising yachts and created groundbreaking sailing and power boats which are unmatched reference points in yachting and in the design world. Wally is the only yachting brand to be a two-time winner of the ADI Compassod’Oro, the world’s most important award for quality and design.Credits: Wally

Rome-based Lazzarini Design has shared their latest concept – a 24m tender Embryon. She has a transparent carbon-fibre hull and can accommodate eight guests across four cabins, including one master suite and one VIP. The sun deck has a spacious L-shaped lounge and a sunbed. Embryon exterior Photochromic room The material is very light, which gives the additional advantages in terms of performance. Thanks to a diesel and hydrogen propulsion system comprising twin MAN V12 2000hp engines and one electric 1260hp engine, Embryon’s estimated speed will be around 65 knots. The other option is electric set up. Side view Embryon carries a €6,000,000 price tag. This eco-concept follows the futuristic Shape, that was revealed at the beginning of October. Top viewCredits: Lazzarini Design

The 48.80m Chasseur is now for sale with Northrop & Johnson. Chasseur was launched by Christensen Yachts in 2016. She has a fiberglass hull and a contemporary interior.She can accommodate up to 12 guests across six resplendent staterooms. Her full-beam master stateroom boasts expansive space alongside a king-sized berth, a private office, walk-in closets and an en-suite bath. The VIP stateroom has a king-sized bed with an en-suite bathroom decorated entirely in Esmeralda green onyx.In perfect harmony between rejuvenation and activity, this yacht offers plush lounge furnishings, an on-demand audio sound system and a card table within her main salon – all accented by charming wood embellishments. It also holds a custom-made Armani table and a gorgeous staircase with floating glass stairs.On her deck, Chasseur gives guests the opportunity to relax and admire the crystalline waters from the view of her massive hot tub spa, alfresco dining options and her full-height bar. Each of her outdoor spaces has sunpads with optional sunshade, allowing warmth and relaxation in the open air. With workout equipment and a large swim platform for tenders and toys, the yacht extends well beyond her serene atmosphere.She can cruise at 12 knots.The yacht is priced at USD 30,995,000.Credits: Northrop & Johnson

Turkish shipbuilder Aegean Yacht recently presented design of a new range — the trideck Aegean Explorers range, which consists of M25, M37 and M48. The company has already started to build the first Explorer M25.Explorer M25 exterior The design for the new range was devised and developed entirely in-house by the Aegean Yacht technical team and design department, who handled the concept, layout, naval architecture, marine engineering, exterior and interior design. As always at Aegean Yacht, aesthetic elegance and functionality blends into one solid boat.Explorer M25 hull Combining the capability for large passages with a generous gross tonnage of 185 GT and high quality interiors, she will allow her owners to travel the world in exceptional comfort and style. Salon Explorer M25 can accommodate up to 12 guests across six spacious staterooms, which include three full beam master staterooms, two double and one VIP cabin on board.Upper master cabinMaster cabin on the upper deck has fully private facilities including a vast sun bathing and alfresco dining area. Upper master cabinAs well as guests, four crew members will have complete privacy in their four single cabins with en-suite bathrooms. She boasts a light and airy on board ambience, created with the use of warm oak wood, marble, stainless steel and elegant upholstery. Explorer M25 exterior The first hull will be powered by twin 650 HP MAN engines. The launch of the first Explorer M25 is expected during Spring 2022. Aegean Yacht was founded in 1976. The company builds fully customized steel or aluminium hulled, displacement and semi displacement yachts ranging between 16 to 66 meters. The shipyard is located in the Bodrum, Turkey. Credits: Aegean Yacht